Y Combinator's "Social Radars" Podcast Launches "Founder Mode" Series Featuring Brian Chesky, Paul Graham, and Garry Tan

Jessica Livingston, co-founder of Y Combinator and host of "The Social Radars" podcast, announced the launch of a new series of short episodes focusing on "founder mode." The initial three episodes will feature prominent figures in the startup ecosystem: Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, Y Combinator co-founder Paul Graham, and Y Combinator President and CEO Garry Tan. This new series aims to delve into the increasingly discussed concept of "founder mode" in leadership.

"Today we're launching a new series of short Social Radars episodes on founder mode! The first three are with Brian Chesky, Paul Graham and Garry Tan," Jessica Livingston stated in a recent tweet.

The concept of "founder mode" gained significant traction following a talk by Brian Chesky at a Y Combinator event. Paul Graham subsequently popularized the term in a September 2024 essay, defining it as a hands-on, detail-oriented leadership approach, contrasting it with traditional "manager mode." Chesky's experience during the pandemic, where Airbnb's revenue plummeted by 80%, led him to adopt a more direct, functional organizational structure, which he attributes to his "founder mode" philosophy.

Chesky emphasizes that "founder mode" is about "being in the details" and that "great leadership is presence, not absence." He advocates for CEOs to act as chief product officers, deeply involved in the creation and evolution of their company's offerings. This approach, he notes, is inspired by leaders like Steve Jobs, who maintained a close connection to product development regardless of company size.

Paul Graham, a central figure in the startup world, further elaborated on "founder mode" in his essay, suggesting that many successful founders instinctively operate this way, often against conventional business advice. His writing highlighted the idea that founders should not transition entirely into a detached managerial role as their companies scale, but rather maintain a deep, hands-on engagement. Graham's essay was widely debated across Silicon Valley, sparking discussions on leadership styles and company growth.

Garry Tan, current President and CEO of Y Combinator, has also been actively involved in promoting the "founder mode" discussion, organizing events and participating in interviews that explore its relevance in the current tech landscape, particularly with the advent of AI. The new "Social Radars" series is expected to offer unique insights from these influential leaders, providing practical perspectives on how founders can maintain direct involvement and drive innovation within their growing companies.